This makes me happy

Just weeks away to Target stores opening in Toronto! I unabashedly admit to being a Target junkie. My kids mock me for it but whatevs, as my daughter would say.

My only question though will prices be comparable to the American stores? We all remember what happened to my other fav American store when it opened in Canada. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again.


72

Had he lived, he would be 72 today. 

Happy birthday, Dad.


MHF attacks JT and sort of apologizes

I’ve just returned from a short vacation in la belle province, where I dropped in at the Sun News HQ  in Montreal to talk with Brian Dunstan about the Grits’ weekend debate. And, of course, that exchange between Martha Hall Findlay and Justin Trudeau, which I called desperate.

It seems that Ms. Hall Findlay decided to apologize. Check this out:

“There are some who believe that I overstepped a line in the leadership debate yesterday. To Justin, his family and to those whwere offended, I apologize.” (This was apparently posted to MHF’s website, which seems to be down).

But is it really an apology? Look, I have no doubt that if MHF could take back her words, she would. Not only has she handed the Tories an attack ad on a silver platter, she’s alienated party members (who booed her rant during the live debate) and effectively killed her candidacy. But look at the words: “there are some who believe” and “to those who were offended.” That’s what is called a conditional apology. In this case only two words needed to be uttered: “I’m sorry.”


These guys need PR help

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Sandra on the Hill?

Great column, great idea.


Garneau’s big move

One of the major criticisms of both the Ontario Liberal and federal Liberal leadership races is that they were, and are, boring. Everyone’s too nice, too dull, too blah.

A couple of weeks ago at the Manitoba “debate” many of the candidates, when asked to tell a little about themselves, talked about housework. Marc Garneau, who happens to be a freaking astronaut talked at length about his love of vacuuming. This was the race’s low point thus far.

After the non-debate debate I’m guessing the astronaut and his advisors realized they needed to do something to shake up this dullsville “race.” What to do? After all, Garneau is “at least as charismatic as Stephen Harper.” (Great line, btw).

And they decided to go where no man had gone before. Garneau mused in a letter to party members that Justin Trudeau has nothing under the hood. While not impressed by how Team Garneau made the accusation (it was out of character), I was impressed that he did it at all.

I’m sure Garneau will be criticized for handing the Tory’s attack ad material (just think back to Ignatieff’s “We didn’t get it done, Stephane”), but let’s get real, the attacks are coming regardless.

With only two months left to go, if any of the eight candidates who are not Justin Trudeau, don’t challenge the front runner, they might as well pack it in. I’m not sure that Trudeau’s beatable at this point but why get in the ring if you aren’t going to try to win?

Ultimately, what Garneau did this week might not be in the Liberal party’s best interest but it definitely was in his. And thank God we’re still not talking about vacuuming.


Teenagers across Toronto are getting suspended

For missing vaccinations.

A couple of weeks ago I got a letter in the mail saying that Toronto Public Health had no record of my son receiving a single vaccination. Ever. This, of course, is ridiculous. TPH finally found his record with Ottawa Public Health (even though it was provided to the Toronto primary school my boy attended when we first moved to Toronto four years ago). When TPH found it the nurse told me that my son was just missing a single vaccination and that she would mail his records to me. The record, of course, was never received.

This morning, my son, and many others, were stopped on their way to classes and told they had to go to the office. At the office my son was told he was suspended until he received that final vaccination.

When speaking to a TPH manager I pointed that while my son may very much appreciate not having to go to school (for up to a month), I did not find this to be a great plan. While my son was texting me about where he should go, I’m still on the phone with a TPH manager who is also telling me that since my son is over 16, technically she isn’t supposed to be speaking with me. Oh, an even better idea: suspend students and not be able to discuss the issue with parents!

I find it ironic, however, that if I had religious or ethical reasons for not getting my children immunized, I could get an exemption and they would still be allowed to attend school. But miss one, and you’re out.

Dumb.


Everyone, meet Bocanut – Updated again

Unknown

You may be familiar with him already. Check here. For many months now, Bocanut has been obsessively commenting on my website, media websites and other bloggers’ websites about me. Most make references to my relationship, including sexual comments.

Given his past history (check the hyperlinks above), I’m growing concerned about my safety, as well as my children’s. If you have details on where he lives or works, please send them my way, so I can pass it along to the authorities.

If it helps, this is the information that accompanied the missive I received from him this morning:

Bocanuk@aol.com
IP address:  108.175.231.60

Update: Just got another note from him. Here’s more details:

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Updated again: Three emails, now, from Bocanut in about two hours.


David Plouffe is a political rock star

I don’t know what he plans to do now after leaving Obama’s White House last week but I can’t wait to find out.

This made my day:

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Harper’s “appalled”? Harper should’ve known better

brazeau

 

Harper says today that he’s “appalled” by the Brazeau situation, but Harper knew this about him when he appointed “The Brazman” in 2008. He did it anyway.